Celebrating England through Film in Florence

As a part of the British Institute’s Talking Pictures film series dedicated to British or American cinema of the past 100 years showcased every Wednesday, “The Magical Mystery Tour,” is selected for Wednesday, October 25 (8 pm) at The British Institute Library (Lungarno Guicciardini 9).  Directed by The Beatles themselves, it is a fun, psychedelic adventure through the English countryside. This eclectic film is composed of clips of the band, playing songs including “I Am the Walrus” and “Blue Jay Way” throughout the film.

For the 100th anniversary celebrations during 2017, the British Institute of Florence have organized the 100 Film Festival, an integral showcase for some of the U.K.’s top directors and films.  Besides a Monday, October 23 special anniversary showing of “A Room with a View” (5:30 and 9 pm) at the Odeon Theatre (piazza Strozzi), film premieres at the same cinema include “Victoria and Abdul.”

Directed by Stephen Frears and based on the book by Shrabani Basu, the screening is a light-hearted biographical film inspired by the real-life friendship between Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Abdul Karim, her Muslim servant. Renowned actress Judy Dench will reprise her role as the Queen Victoria and Ali Fazal will portray Abdul Karim as the unexpected friend and Indian clerk of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. “Victoria and Abdul” will show from Thursday, October 26 – Tuesday, October 31.  (rachel hinojosa)